Private Detective Unit

The Private Detective Unit is responsible for the administration and enforcement of all laws regulating the private detective and private detective industries.

Unit personnel screen all applicants for licenses in accordance with the Private Detective Act of 1939, The Security Officer Registration Act, and corresponding New Jersey Administrative Codes. Unit personnel maintain files, an electronic registry and a computer database of all licensed agencies and their employees. Additionally, unit personnel conduct inspections, financial audits, and investigate regulatory and/or criminal complaints and affect arrests when warranted in association with these industries.

Currently, there are more than 2,000 licensed private detective or private security agencies in the State of New Jersey with approximately 50,000 employees regulated by this authority.